Balkan Update

April 23, 1993

The United Nations said a cease-fire in SREBRENICA was stable even though it conceded that Muslims had surrendered few weapons, an apparent violation of the truce. The U.N. force's commander, Gen. Lars-Eric Wahlgren, said 150 Canadian peacekeepers in Srebrenica would use force to defend it if Serbs attacked. Serb militiamen turned back Canadian reinforcements.

Despite two cease-fire agreements in as many days by Muslim and Croatian leaders, U.N. officials reported more fighting around VITEZ in central Bosnia. Battles also were reported west of the capital, Sarajevo.

U.N. officials said food supplies for SARAJEVO may soon drop to half the minimum daily requirement because Muslim-Croatian fighting is blocking relief convoys. The U.N. humanitarian airlift to Sarajevo has continued but is prone to sudden suspensions because of sniper and artillery duels around the airport.

Bosnian Serb's self-proclaimed parliament meets in BOSANSKI NOVI today to reconsider the U.N. peace plan, which it rejected because it would thwart plans to link conquered lands in Bosnia and Croatia with Serbia, the dominant Yugoslav state.

In STRASBOURG, France, the European Parliament failed to approve a resolution that would have sanctioned the use of force to stop the war in Bosnia.